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The Organization of Islamic Cooperation strongly condemned the drone attack on a Madinah power station, describing it as a dangerous escalation and a blatant violation of the sanctity of holy sites along with international and humanitarian laws. In its statement the OIC expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in measures taken to protect its territory, defend Islamic holy sites and safeguard citizens and residents. The United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain joined in the denunciations, with the UAE terming the strike a flagrant violation of Saudi sovereignty that threatened regional security and stability according to regional diplomatic statements.
The Saudi-led coalition announced that the Taibah power distribution station came under drone attack on Tuesday, with an investigation of wreckage confirming Houthi involvement in planning and carrying out the strike. Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki stated that the facility supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites. The coalition framed the incident as part of repeated Houthi attempts to target the two holy mosques and provoke Muslims worldwide.
One transformer was knocked out of service by the strike but the broader electricity network remained unaffected with no casualties reported, the coalition said. The announcement followed a similar claim two weeks earlier in which the coalition said it intercepted a Houthi drone south of Makkah before it reached restricted airspace over the holy city, a Reuters report noted. Saudi Arabia has described both incidents as affronts to Islamic sanctities.
A Houthi military source rejected the coalition’s accusation through the Saba news agency, calling it a lie designed to obscure Saudi Arabia’s failure to substantiate its earlier claim about an attack on Makkah. The Iran-aligned group has denied targeting holy sites or civilian infrastructure throughout the conflict. The latest incident represents the most serious escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis since a United Nations-brokered truce largely halted cross-border attacks in 2022, Reuters figures show.
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Al Budaiwi stated that the strike crossed all red lines and constituted a grave violation of Islamic holy sites. Jordan and other Arab governments reaffirmed their backing for Saudi security steps to counter such threats and preserve regional stability. The OIC urged the international community to take a firm stance against actions that endanger holy places and civilian energy infrastructure.
The power station serves the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, which draws millions of pilgrims annually alongside the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Historical conflict records from the Saudi-led coalition document prior Houthi strikes on oil facilities, pipelines and other infrastructure within the kingdom. The coalition reiterated its commitment to ongoing measures protecting the holy sites and visitors.
